Page 16 of Defying the Crown
I stare at my phone, my mouth suddenly dry as I try to formulate a response. Did I really call him sexy in my pep talk? I scroll back up through our conversation and sure enough, there it is in black and white."You're smart, sexy, capable..."
I groan, burying my face in my hands. I can't believe I let that slip out. It's not that I don't find Harald attractive - quite the opposite actually. But we've never really flirted like this before. Our conversations have always been strictly in the friend zone.
My mind races as I try to figure out how to respond. Do I play it off as a joke? Pretend it was a typo? Or do I lean into it and flirt back?
After a few moments of internal debate and sheer panic, I decide to go with a lighthearted approach."Ha ha, very funny," I type back. "I think someone needs to go to bed before they get too cocky. Wouldn't want that ego of yours getting any bigger??"
I hit send before I can second guess myself, my heart pounding in my chest. I'm not used to this kind of playful banter with Harald, but I have to admit, it's kind of thrilling. I don't think I've felt my heart beat this fast since I was with Alex, and that realization both excites and terrifies me. After everything that happened with my ex, I swore I wouldn't let myself get caught up in these butterflies-in-the-stomach feelings again. Yet here I am, grinning at my phone screen like a lovesick teenager.
A few seconds later, his response pops up on my screen."Oh, I'm definitely cocky now. But you're right, I should probably get some beauty sleep. Gotta look my best for all of the adoring public tomorrow??Night, Daniel. And thanks again for everything."
I can't help but grin at his message, shaking my head in amusement."Goodnight, you dork. Sweet dreams,"I reply, adding a kissy face emoji for good measure.
My heart does a little flip as I hit send, and I can't help but wonder if maybe I'm being too forward. But something about Harald just makes me want to let my guard down, even though every rational part of my brain is screaming at me to be careful. I set my phone on my nightstand, still smiling like an idiot in the darkness of my bedroom. Who would have thought a simple slip of the tongue could lead to such a fun, flirty exchange?
I close my eyes, replaying our conversation in my head. For the first time in a long time, I feel a flutter of excitement in my chest - a hint of possibility that maybe, just maybe, there could be something more than friendship between Harald and me.
But for now, I push those thoughts aside, content to bask in the warm glow of our playful banter. Tomorrow is a new day, and who knows what it might bring?
Chapter 6
Harald
I groaned as I forced myself out of bed, my body protesting the lack of sleep from staying up late talking to Daniel. But even through the haze of exhaustion, I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face as I thought about our conversation. Despite my royal obligations and the mountain of meetings ahead of me today, those precious hours we spent messaging back and forth felt worth every moment of fatigue. There was something refreshing about how easily he spoke to me, completely unaware of my title or responsibilities - just two people connecting in the quiet hours of the night.
I stumbled into the kitchen where Ella was already making breakfast, the aroma of fresh coffee and pastries filling the air. She looked up at me with a knowing smirk, her blue eyes twinkling with that sisterly intuition that always made me feel like she could read my mind. The spatula in her hand paused mid-flip as she took in my disheveled appearance and the dark circles under my eyes.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Late night?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my grin. "Maybe."
"Mmhmm. And would this have anything to do with a certain someone named Daniel?" She waggled her eyebrows at me suggestively.
I felt my cheeks heat up. "We were just talking, Ells. Getting to know each other better."
She placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of me. "I'm just teasing, Harry. I'm happy for you, really. It's good to see you coming out of your shell and making a connection with someone. I don't think I've seen you make a connection with someone like this in a long time, at least not since you were in school. Even then I'm not so sure, since they knew who you were and that influenced how they acted toward you."
I took a bite of toast, considering her words. She was right - it did feel good to be opening up to Daniel, even if it was just through texts and silly selfies at the moment.
"Thanks, sis. I don't know where this thing with Daniel will go, but...I like talking to him. He makes me laugh and forget about all the pressure and expectations for a little while."
Ella reached over and squeezed my hand. "That's wonderful, Harry. You deserve to have someone like that in your life. Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."
I met her concerned gaze and nodded. "I promise. We're taking things slow, just getting to know each other. But I have a good feeling about him, Ells. A really good feeling."
She smiled at that, and we ate our breakfast in companionable silence, my thoughts drifting to Daniel and the undeniable connection growing between us.
A soft knock at the door drew my attention away from my reveries and I glanced up to see Erik entering the room, a thick portfolio tucked gracefully under his arm. He nodded respectfully to Ella before turning to me with a small smile.
I fidgeted nervously seeing the thick portfolio tucked under his arm. Erik quickly spreads out the portfolio's documents on the table before us.
"Your Highnesses, I apologize for the intrusion, but I have some information about an upcoming event that requires your attention."
My stomach churned at the mention of another social event. Memories of the disastrous fundraiser flooded my mind, and I could feel my palms growing clammy.
"Of course, Erik. What's the event?"" Ella interjected, noticing my growing unease.
Erik continued, oblivious to my rising anxiety. "It's the annual charitable gala, ma'am. It's scheduled for tomorrow, and the royal family's attendance is expected, as always."
